More taxes in Greene

From left, Emma Moye and her husband Carl listen to Teresa Stroud, personal property appraiser, as she helps them with a tax permit Wednesday at the Greene County Tax Department.

Janet S. Carter / The Free Press

By David Anderson / Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 09:03 PM.

SNOW HILL — Greene County’s two-year process of revaluating properties is coming to a close, and while residents whose property values — and amount they pay in property taxes — have gone up aren’t happy about paying more, they know there is no way around it.

Carl and Emma Moye, who live outside Stantonsburg, engaged in a lengthy discussion Wednesday with Tax Department staffers regarding a permit to move a trailer, which they also paid $82 in taxes on for 2012.

“I thought it was a little high for that model of trailer,” Carl Moye said of the single-wide.

He and his wife have not yet received their notice of what their property values will be for 2013, but regardless of whether the values go up or down, they will pay the taxes.

“Whatever they say the tax is, that's what I send them a check for,” Emma Moye said.

The revaluation, which was carried out by the Kinston firm Raspberry Shackleford & Associates under contract with Greene County, began in early 2011 and took effect Jan. 1.

County tax officials are currently collecting 2012 property tax payments — Monday is the last day to pay before they are considered delinquent — and hearing informal appeals from taxpayers who have received their revaluation notices.

SNOW HILL — Greene County’s two-year process of revaluating properties is coming to a close, and while residents whose property values — and amount they pay in property taxes — have gone up aren’t happy about paying more, they know there is no way around it.

Carl and Emma Moye, who live outside Stantonsburg, engaged in a lengthy discussion Wednesday with Tax Department staffers regarding a permit to move a trailer, which they also paid $82 in taxes on for 2012.

“I thought it was a little high for that model of trailer,” Carl Moye said of the single-wide.

He and his wife have not yet received their notice of what their property values will be for 2013, but regardless of whether the values go up or down, they will pay the taxes.

“Whatever they say the tax is, that's what I send them a check for,” Emma Moye said.

The revaluation, which was carried out by the Kinston firm Raspberry Shackleford & Associates under contract with Greene County, began in early 2011 and took effect Jan. 1.

County tax officials are currently collecting 2012 property tax payments — Monday is the last day to pay before they are considered delinquent — and hearing informal appeals from taxpayers who have received their revaluation notices.

Tax Administrator Becky Sutton said taxpayers can bring their appeals before the county’s Board of Equalization and Review during the spring.

“If they’re not satisfied with the findings after the Board of Equalization and Review, they can appeal to the (N.C.) Property Tax Commission,” she said.

Sutton said counties are required by law to revaluate properties every eight years — the last Greene County revaluation occurred in 2005.

“We're charged to bring our values to market value, and any contributing factor that enhances or takes away from value is taken into consideration,” she explained.

Greene County’s current property tax rate is 75.6 cents for every $100 of assessed value. While the county commissioners could not be reached for comment Wednesday on whether the rate would be increased or decreased this year, Interim County Manager Richard Hicks said elected officials must publish a “revenue-neutral” rate each year.

“They have to show the citizens — for us to bring in the same amount as last year, plus growth, a revenue-neutral rate is required to be published,” he said.

Ulysses Rouse of Snow Hill was at the tax office Wednesday paying taxes on his home and vehicle. He said his home value went up by about $60.

“I knew the taxes were going up,” he said. “I just knew that. … I feel that it was fair.”

Selwyn Thigpen of southern Greene County said his property values have gone up several times since he moved to the county in 2000.

He suggested elected officials make the revaluation process more “user-friendly.”

“Maybe the politicians should help people understand it a lot more — where the money's going, what it's for,” he said.

He estimated his tax bill has increased by about $2.

“Greene County is one of the cheapest counties,” he said.

David Anderson can be reached at 252-559-1077 or David.Anderson@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at DavidFreePress.